Bailey’s agent blames release on playing hurt

Posted by Mike Florio on March 6, 2014, 3:19 PM EST

Getty Images

A full decade after the Broncos traded running back Clinton Portis for cornerback Champ Bailey, the Broncos have released him. Bailey’s agent thinks that, if Bailey hadn’t been such a team player in 2013, he’d still be on the team.

“Champ is appreciative of the 10 years he had there,” agent Jack Reale told Mike Klis of the Denver Post. “It’s unfortunate frankly that he tried to play hurt this year. Because most people with that injury would wind up on IR. But he felt this was a year they were going to go to the Super Bowl, and he was dadgum if he was going to watch that game from the press box or sidelines.” [Editor’s note: I appreciate very much anyone who uses the phrase “dadgum.” It makes me feel less old.]

Reale is referring to the foot injury, ultimately revealed to be a Lisfranc sprain, that Bailey suffered during training camp. He appeared in only five regular-season games, with a mere three starts. Bailey also started two postseason games.

“[H]e tried to get it done,” Reale said. “And unfortunately everybody wants to judge him based on playing hurt. Which is how it goes in the league. Rarely, if ever do you get an ‘attaboy’ if you don’t play as well hurt as you do when your healthy.”

Bailey actually played very well in the postseason, especially in the AFC title game. Thrust back into the starting lineup after Chris Harris tore an ACL against the Chargers, Bailey held his opponents to four total receiving yards.

Bailey would have been cut even if he’d gone to injured reserve. Ultimately, the release happened because the Broncos don’t believe Bailey will be worth a $9 million investment come September 2014, when he’ll be 36 years old. It’s unlikely any other team will feel the same way.

Because Bailey was in the final year of his contract, the move clears $9 million in cap space — putting the Broncos in play for a possible effort to pry cornerback Darrelle Revis away from the Buccaneers, which needs to happen in the next week or not at all.

Bad bookkeeping strikes again. The NFL is a serial story that could also be titled Negotiators on Elm Street. And it’s definitely not a comedy, keep your kids away from this one or they will decimate large corporations in the future.

Champ Bailey was the man for 10 years plus as the top CB in football. He is equally respected on and off the football field because of the way he carries himself.

Denver fans made excuses for their bad defense because Champ wasn’t there. When he would be there – everyone but Champ made excuses about him not being healthy but never admit his age may be catching up with him. That has been clear for 2 or 3 years already if you know what you’re watching.

I hope a team picks him up at a minimal amount and moves him to safety. I think his days of man-to-man corner were over when Smith destroyed him in the playoffs in 2013, but he can still be a contributing piece to a good secondary.

I am not sure what team will give him that chance however. The shift seems to be towards the Seahawks model of finding young talent that fits into your defensive scheme.